The Annual BSEPS Road Run 2003

Sunday 4th May saw a new venue and date for the annual Society Road Run. Fine warm sunny weather, contrary to the Met Office predictions (change that crystal ball guys) only added to the success of this year's run. At the request of several members it was decided to have a new route in a different area to accommodate some different exhibits. By moving across the county the run actually took place just inside Cambridgeshire.

Pictures courtesy of Alan Nash and Mark Worbey

The date was also moved so not to clash with other events in the area and it was agreed by all attending that the Bank Holiday was better as it gave Saturday as an arrival day and Monday to go home. The new venue for starting and finishing Heath Road, Gamlingay.here was indeed a good selection of exhibits this time with some long distance visitors and "first timers". From Norfolk came the Wyeld Family with their 8 NHP 1913 Foden Colonial Road Locomotive "Monarch".

Willem Middlemiss roaded over with his Burrell Showman's "Nero", No. 3669 of 1915 worked for Bostock & Wombwells Menagerie and was one of the most widely traveled engines ever built. Over the weekend the engine towed an Orton & Spooner living van which has also been restored by Willem to match the engine. A most impressive setup that turned many heads on the run. From Essex came Barry Freeman with Burrell No. 3923 "Jessie".

Marcus Cousins brought along Jon Gorman's Fowell No. 93 of 1904. Dave Roberts and Mark Worbey steamed the unique 1934 Sentinel S8 No. 9105, owned by Richard Hazell. Paul and Ian Vickery came along with Aveling & Porter Roller "Mona" which steamed well and got around the route in good time. More local exhibits came in the form of David Davenport's Allchin and Pete Norton's Fowler. John Forshaw and family steamed over with their 1930 Foden C Type Wagon.

Nigel Underwood came from Stotfold with Burrell Scenic Showman's Road Loco "Ex Mayor" from the Saunders Collection. Had the engine not attended the event, it too would have been in the shed at Saunders Yard that was hit by fire that weekend. The run started just before 12 o'clock with the engines heading off through Gamlingay and Waresley to the lunch-time stop at The Eight Bells at Abbotsley where we were made most welcome.

There was also a good number of tractors, vintage vehicles and motorcycles in attendance.

At around 3 o'clock the engines moved off through Abbotsley towards Tetworth and then back to Heath Road.